ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Prime Minister's Office
PM shares creative way of learning Kannada language
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi who has always advocated learning the language of other states and often starts his speeches with greetings and introductory sentences in the local language, today shared a fun way of learning Kannada language.
Quoting a tweet by Kiran Kumar S about pictorial way of teaching Kannada alphabet, the Prime Minister tweeted :
"A creative way to make learning languages a fun activity, in this case the beautiful Kannada language."
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Buldhana Pattern of water conservation gets national recognition
NITI Ayog formulating National Policy on water conversation under ‘ Buldhana Pattern’
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari urges Maharashtra Government also to adopt it.
Mumbai/Nagpur 17 October 2020
Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari has said that Maharashtra's 'Buldhana Pattern' of water conservation' has won national recognition and the NITI Aayog is in the process of formulating National Policy on water conversation based on it.
Shri Gadkari has urged the Maharashtra Government also to adopt the ‘Buldhana Pattern’ for water conservation in the state.
In a letter written to the Chief Minister Shri Uddhav Thackerey, Shri Gadkari said synchronisation of national highway construction and water conservation was achieved for the first time in Buldhana district, by using soil from the water bodies, nallas and rivers. This consequently lead to the increase in capacity of water storage across the water-bodies in Buldana district and it came to be known as 'Buldhana Pattern'.
"With this activity in Maharashtra, 225 lakh cubic metre of soil was used in National Highway construction and the resultant widening / deepening resulted in increase of 22,500 Thousand Cubic Metre  of water storage capacity with no cost to state government" Shri Gadkari added.
Through Agro-Vision - an agriculture convention held in Nagpur every year, Gadkari has appealed to adopt the cost efficient ‘Buldhana pattern’ of road-construction nation-wide, especially in the regions which are facing problem of water scarcity.
The Minister, in his letrer, also informed about ‘Tamswada Pattern’ of water conservation project taken up in Nagpur and Wardha district in which rain water harvesting, conservation and groundwater recharge works were done in order to increase the water storage capacity of natural water bodies situated in these two districts of Eastern Vidarbha. He informed that, ‘Tamswada pattern’ was being implemented in 60 villages Nagpur and Wardha district while the work already completed in 40 villages.
Taking a note of recurring crisis of floods being faced by Mumbai, which results into heavy loss of property and life, Shri Gadkari had earlier requested Maharashtra government to take initiative for preparations of the Detailed Project Report  for formation of the State Water Grid, on the lines of National Power Grid or the Highway Grid, to address the issue of excess water diversion into water deficient regions.
Shri Gadkari also expressed the hope that , creation of State Water Grid and adopting water Conservations works under ‘Buldana Pattern’ will increase the agriculture production and bring prosperity in farmer’s economic life in Vidarbha.
Ministry of Steel
Jumbo Covid Care Hospitals with 1554 beds Opened by Public Sector Steel Companies
The public sector steel companies in the country have opened the following jumbo COVID care hospitals/facilities in their steel plants during the pandemic using their own resources. No allocation has been made by the Government for this purpose:-
|
|
Steel PSU
|
|
Plant/location
|
|
No. of Beds
|
|
Total
|
|
Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited 
|
|
Visakhapatnam
|
|
440
|
|
440
|
|
Steel Authority of India Limited 
|
|
Bokaro
|
|
500
|
|
1114
|
|
Bhilai
|
|
114
|
|
Rourkela
|
|
100
|
|
Burnpur
|
|
200
|
|
Durgapur
|
|
200
|
|
Total
|
|
1554
This information was given by the Union Minister for Steel Shri Ram Chandra Prasad Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Coal
Substantial Increase in Coal Production from Captive Mines
Production Likely to Touch 120 Million Ton Next Fiscal
Coal production from captive mines during this year till November has already reached around 50 million ton and it is very likely to touch 85 MT during the current financial year  which is significantly higher than last year achievement of 62 MT.
In order to further enhance coal production the Secretary, Ministry of Coal Dr Anil Kumar Jain reviewed the issues related to Environment and Forest Clearances impacting development of new coal blocks, with senior officers of the Ministry in view of high demand for domestic coal. Coal production from captive mines is expected to reach 120 MT during the next financial year .
This achievement will further fulfil the vision of Aatmanirbhar bharat in domestic coal production.
Ministry of Defence
CAS VISIT TO SRI LANKA
Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria PVSM AVSM VM ADC, Chief of the Air Staff arrived at Colombo today on an invitation from Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force . SLAF is celebrating its 70th anniversary on 02 Mar 21 and presentation of the President's colours to two of its Units on 05 Mar 21.
As part of his visit, the CAS will attend the inaugural ceremony on 03 Mar 21, during which a Flypast and Aerobatic Display is scheduled. The air show at Galle Face Colombo will see participation by an IAF contingent comprising of Suryakiran & Sarang Aerobatic Display Teams and Tejas LCA. The IAF contingent arrived in Colombo on 27 Feb 21. The flypast will be significant and reminiscent of the IAF's Suryakiran Display Team performance at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of SLAF, two decades ago.
During the course of the two day visit, CAS is scheduled to interact with various dignitaries and the heads of Services of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka. IAF and SLAF have had consistent cooperative exchanges over the years and interact regularly through Headquarter level Air Staff talks to share valuable experiences in the fields of ground and flying training, professional military education, HADR & operational best practices. Recent years have also seen the two Air Forces increase inter-personnel engagements through exchange visits of serving personnel and families to both countries.
The presence of the CAS during the inaugural day of the Air Show reinforces the strength of IAF-SLAF ties. The visit will further strengthen the existing cooperative process and open up newer avenues of mutual interest.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Training on smart farming using e-crop in CTCRI
The ICAR- Central Tuber Crops Research Institute  Thiruvananthapuram is conducting training on smart farming using electronic crop  at ICAR-CTCRI on 16th June 2022. Shri P. Prasad, State Minister of Agriculture, Government of Kerala will inaugurate the event.
Shri Kadakampally Surendran MLA will preside over the function. Dr. Vikramaditya Pandey, ADG , ICAR will deliver the keynote address and Smt. L.R Aarathi IES, Mission Director, State Horticulture Mission: Kerala will be the guest of honour.
Around 100 farmers from five panchayats of Nedumangad block are expected to participate in this event. Launch of Smart Fertigation System at ICAR CTCRI, Training sessions on Smart Farming, Scientist-Farmer interaction, etc are also arranged as part of the programme.
(Visitor Counter : 167
Ministry of Defence
MOS Defence Shri Shripad Naik Visits 2 Signal Training Center, Ponda-Goa
Goa, 21 November 2020
Shri Shripad Naik, Union Minister of State for AYUSH & Raksha Rajya Mantri, Govt of India visited the Army’s Premier training facility at 6 technical training Regiment  at Ponda, Goa on 21st Nov 2020. During the visit, RRM reviewed the training and projects under execution in the unit.
Shri Shripad Naik carried out Bhoomi Pujan for revamping of the housing facilities of trainees in presence of brigadier Sanjay Rawal, Commandant 2Signal training Center. He was given a detailed presentation by Colonel Manvendra Nagaich, Commanding officer of 6 Technical Training Regiment about the training methodology adopted by the unit.
RRM was conducted around the training area and was taken to the upcoming infrastructure sites which are being improved for providing a conducive environment to the trainees who come to the establishment at Ponda, Goa for honing their technical Skills.
RRM appreciated the efforts undertaken by 2 Signal Training Center for ensuring goal oriented technical training for cutting edge of the modern battlefield. He exhorted the unit for carrying on with the exemplary work being done in service of Nation and assured the unit of continued support from his office.VK/DR
Follow us on social media: @PIBMumbai /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com
(Visitor Counter : 372
NITI Aayog
Rao Inderjit Singh takes charge as the Union Minister of State  for Planning
Says focus will be on work for New India by 2022
Inclusive Growth and Development are our priorities
 for Planning at NITI Aayog today. He said that focus will be on work for New India by 2022. The Union Minister added that Inclusive Growth and all round development will be the priority areas.
He also held a brief meeting with senior officials of NITI Aayog to review the progress of work done.
Brief Profile of Minister
Shri Rao Inderjit Singh was born on February 11, 1950 in Rewari, Haryana. He represents Gurugram Constituency of Haryana in 17th Lok Sabha 2019. He did LLB from Law Faculty, Delhi University and Bachelor of Arts  from Hindu College, Delhi University.
He has served as MoS  Planning, MoS Urban Development, MoS Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation from 5 July 2016 – 3Sep 2017. He was MoS  Planning, MoS Defence from 9 Nov 2014-5 July 2016. He has also worked in the capacity of MoS  Planning; Statistics and Programme Implementation and MoS Defence from 27 May 2014- 9 Nov 2014.
This is his Fifth term as Lok Sabha MP. Earlier he has represented Gurugram Lok Sabha Constituency in 16th Lok Sabha in 2014, 15th Lok Sabha in 2009 and Mohindergarh Constituency Lok Sabha Constituency in 14th Lok Sabha in 2004 and 12th Lok Sabha in 1998. He was also elected as MLA 4 times from JatusanaVidhan Sabha, Haryana from 1977-1982, 1982-1987, 1991-1996, and 2000-2004. He was Cabinet Minister in Govt of Haryana from 1991-1996 and looked after the portfolios of Environment & Forests and Medical & Technical Education. He has also served as MoS  Food and Civil Supplies, Haryana from 1986-1987.
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department carries out search and survey operations in Rajasthan, Delhi and Mumbai
The Income Tax Department carried out search and survey operationson three groups on 13.07.2020. These operations are being carried out at 20 premises in Jaipur, 6 in Kota, 8 in Delhi and 9 in Mumbai.
One of the groups covered is involved in several business activities like hotel, hydro power projects, metal and auto sectors. It is suspected to have invested unaccounted income generated from these activities into real estate.
The second group is engaged in the business of trading of silver/gold jewellery and antique silver articles and has associate enterprises in various other countries like UK, USA etc., as well as properties and bank accounts in these countries. The main allegation against the group is that a substantial part of its silver jewellery business is carried out outside the regular books of accounts.
The third group is involved in hotel business. The source of investment in the same remains to be verified.
Several incriminating evidences in the form of loose papers/diaries/digital data have been found indicating trading in bullion in cash, investment of cash in properties etc. Further investigations are in process.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves signing of Framework of Understanding between India and Bangladesh on Cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved signing of Framework of Understanding  on Cooperation in the Hydrocarbon Sector with Bangladesh.
The objective of the proposed FoU is to establish a cooperative institutional framework mechanism to facilitate and enhance India-Bangladesh bilateral cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.
The FoU promotes bilateral cooperation at the sub-regional and regional levels. It will provide impetus to development and enable the two countries to realize their developmental aspirations, shared destiny and common vision of a peaceful and prosperous South Asia.
The proposed FoU is non-binding in nature and will be valid for five years.
Ministry of Finance
More than 37.76 crore loans amounting to over Rs. 20.43 lakh crore disbursed since inception of Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana
As per data uploaded by the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana  by Member Lending Institutions  on Mudra portal, as on 25.11.2022, more than 37.76 crore loans amounting to over Rs. 20.43 lakh crore have been disbursed since inception of the Scheme in April 2015.
Giving more information, the Minister said that State/UT-wise details of loans disbursed under PMMY, including that of Maharashtra and Odisha are ANNEXED.
Referring to a Ministry of Labour and Employment  survey, the Minister stated that MoLE conducted a large sample survey at the national level to assess employment generation under PMMY. As per the survey results, PMMY helped in generating 1.12 crore net additional employment during a period of approximately 3 years . At an overall level, Shishu category of loan constitutes about 66% of share among additional employment generated by establishments owned by MUDRA beneficiaries followed by Kishore  and Tarun  categories respectively.
Giving more details about the scheme, the Minister stated that Under PMMY, collateral-free institutional credit up to Rs. 10 lakh is provided by Member Lending Institutions  i.e. Scheduled Commercial Banks , Regional Rural Banks , Non-Banking Financial Companies  and Micro Finance Institutions . Any individual, who is otherwise eligible to take a loan and has a business plan for small business enterprise can avail loan under the Scheme. He/She can avail loans for income generating activities in the manufacturing, trading, services sector and also for activities allied to agriculture across three loan products, viz. Shishu , Kishore  and Tarun .
PIB Headquarters
PIB’S BULLETIN ON COVID-19
|
|
- Over 177 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
- India's Active caseload currently stands at 1,34,235
- Active cases stand at 0.31%
- Recovery Rate currently at 98.49%
- 26,988 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,22,46,884
- 13,166 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
- Daily positivity rate 
- Weekly Positivity Rate 
- 76.45 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 10,30,016 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
#Unite2FightCorona #IndiaFightsCorona
PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates ISRO for successful launch of PSLV
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated ISRO for the successful launch of PSLV.
"Heartiest congratulations to our space scientists for yet another successful launch of PSLV.
This launch has put in orbit Kalamsat, built by India's talented students.
With this launch, India also becomes the first country to use the fourth stage of a space rocket as an orbital platform for micro-gravity experiments", the Prime Minister said.
Competition Commission of India
CCI approves acquisition by HDFC Bank Limited of shareholding in HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited
The Competition Commission of India  approves acquisition by HDFC Bank Limited  of shareholding in HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited  under Section 31 of the Competition Act, 2002.
The Proposed Combination involves acquisition of 4.99% of the outstanding equity share capital of the Target by the Acquirer from Housing Development Finance Corporation .
The Acquirer is a public listed banking company registered with the Reserve Bank of India which provides a wide range of banking services covering commercial and investment banking on the wholesale side and transactional / branch banking on the retail side. As a part of the retail banking segment, the Acquirer also engages in the distribution of life and general / non-life insurance products.
The Target is a joint venture between HDFC and ERGO International AG and is engaged in the business of general / non-life insurance in India and offers a complete range of general / non-life insurance products.
Detailed order of the CCI will follow.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
195.35 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India's Active caseload currently stands at 50,548
Active cases stand at 0.12%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.67%
4,035 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to
4,26,61,370
6,594 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
85.54 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 3,21,873 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Ministry of Heavy Industries
STATUS OF SUBSIDIES UNDER FAME INDIA SCHEME II
Under FAME-India Scheme phase-II, no incentive is given to EV manufacturers. The incentive/ concession is provided to consumers  in the form of an upfront reduced purchase price of hybrid and electric vehicles to enable wider adoption, which will be reimbursed to the OEM  by Government of India. The details of amount of subsidies/ demand incentive reimbursed/ approved to electric vehicle manufacturers under FAME India Scheme Phase-II in 2022 is as under:

|
|
Sl. No.
|
|
Segment
|
|
Total Claim Incentive Approved in 2022 
|
|
1.
|
|
e-2w
|
|
1280.07
|
|
2.
|
|
e-3w
|
|
168.93
|
|
3.
|
|
e-4w
|
|
55.17
|
|
4.
|
|
e-buses|
|
364.39
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
1868.56Subsidy amount released to State Transport Units 
The Ministry of Heavy Industries  had received complaints against 17 OEMs under the FAME India Scheme Phase-II the past 18 months mainly concerning two aspects viz. PMP compliance & Breach of Ex-factory price. Further, incentive payments were stopped in case of those complaints wherever detailed investigations were required.
The following steps were undertaken by MHI for investigation of complaints against the alleged Original Equipment Manufacturers :
- Disbursement of the demand incentives were put on hold
- Matter referred to Testing agencies of MHI for detailed investigation
After the examination of reports from testing agencies for the alleged OEMs, it was found that six OEMs were fully PMP Compliant while other seven OEMs have found to be violating PMP norms. Show cause notices have been issued to seven OEMs.
Further, four OEMs have agreed to refund the excess amount of Rs. 322.11 Cr. for the Breach of Ex-factory price to the customers/ purchasers of electric vehicles .
This information was given by the Minister of State for Heavy Industries, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
IREDA holds 34th Annual General Meeting
Registers Highest Ever PBT in FY 2020-21
Sets Five-Fold Growth Target in Loan Book for Next Five Years
The 34th Annual General Meeting  of Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. , the PSU under Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, held today here. Annual accounts for financial year 2020-21 were adopted at the AGM.
Addressing the Shareholders, Shri Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman & Managing Director , IREDA highlighted that, “despite the pandemic regime, IREDA completed the FY 2020-21 on second highest loan disbursements  amounting to Rs. 8,827 Crore, highest ever Profit Before Tax of Rs. 569.52 Crore with an increase of 136.20% over the amount of Rs. 241.11 Crore in the previous year and a net reduction in NPA from 7.18% in the previous year to 5.61% ending FY2020-21, which is a significant reduction of approx. 22% from the previous year.
Highlighting the future strategies, CMD said that, “IREDA is geared up towards five-fold growth in the loan book from Rs. 28000 Crore  ending March 2021 to Rs. 1.35 Lakh Crore ending March 2026. The company plans to increase the revenue per employee from Rs. 17 Crore  in FY 2020-21 to Rs. 55 Crore ending FY 2025-26 .” Shri Das also underlined that IREDA is presently a debt listed company and it is fully geared up for working in the direction of getting equity listed. IREDA shall also come out with the IPO of fresh Equity shares and plans to make further issue of Green Bonds in the international & domestic market to garner capital for onward lending.
CMD, IREDA further underlined that IREDA is in the process of setting up a debt fund in the form of an Alternate Investment Fund  to tap large Institutional Investors such as Pension funds, Insurance Funds, Environmental, Social and Governance Funds, etc. AIF will also help IREDA in financing new projects of those borrowers who are nearing the exposure limit. The company is also planning to do Asset-Based Securitisation  by issuance of Pass-Through Certificates.
Ministry of Finance
DFS modifies Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme  to give Civil Aviation sector necessary collateral-free liquidity at reasonable interest rates to tide over their present cash flow problems
Recognising that an efficient and strong civil aviation sector is vital for the economic development of the country, the Department of Financial Services , Ministry of Finance, has modified the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme  yesterday to enhance the maximum loan amount eligibility for airlines under ECLGS 3.0 to 100% of their fund based or non-fund-based loan outstanding as on the reference dates or Rs. 1,500 crore, whichever is lower; and of the above, Rs. 500 crore shall be considered, based on equity contribution by the owners.
All other criteria terms and conditions parameters prescribed under the operational guidelines of the ECLGS on 30.8.2022 shall be applicable as it is.
The modifications introduced are aimed to give necessary collateral-free liquidity at reasonable interest rates to tide over their present cash flow problems.
Earlier in March 2022, the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme  was extended beyond March 2022, till March 2023, to implement the announcement made in the Union Budget 2022-23 by Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman. Keeping in view the high proportion of non-fund based credit in the overall credit of the civil aviation sector, the eligible borrowers were permitted to avail up to 50% of their highest total fund and non-fund based credit outstanding, subject to a maximum of Rs. 400 crore per borrower.